Distillation of coal



July '2, 1942. 'r. M. DAVlDSON DISTILLATION' OF GOAL 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 23, 1937 I I 1 1/ z I nvenior July 7,1942. T. M. DAVIDSON D ISTILLATION OF COAL Filed Feb. 23 193,7 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 I A J I x 1 l 1 1 I I x I I I I I I I I I 1 1 x I I I x I 1 1 July 7, 1942. 'r. mammsou. 2,289,246

DISTILLATION 0F COAL Filed Feb. 23, 1937 v 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.4.

Invemar July 7, (1942. T. M. DAVIDSO-N 2,289,246

DISTILLATIQN .QF QOAL Filed Feb. 23, 193'] 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 -/m /m m I FigJO- Inventor Jttorney.

- M) ,1942. T. M. DAVIDSON 2,239,246

DISTILLATION 0F can;

Filed Feb. '23, 1937 s Sheets-Sheet e Inventor v 1%.flflmbkon:

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.llttomeyL Patented July 7, 1942 DISTILLATION-OF con. Thomas Malcolm Davidson, Homeleigh, Hatch End, England Application February 23, 1937, Serial No. 127,153

In Great Britain February 22, 1936 (Granted nndcr the provisions of sec. M, act oi March 2, 1927; 357 0. G- i 5 Claims.

This invention relates to the distillation or coking of coal, blends of coal or agglomerates or aggregates with which are incorporated coal or other fuel or a binder such as pitch in powdered form or otherwise by which a coke, char or other coked or consolidated material is produced in the distillation, coking or other treatment.

The invention is also applicable to the distillation of shales in a finely divided condition and especially shale of the Esthonian type, whereby a hard, caked or consolidated residue is produced.

The invention is thus applicable to the production of coked fuel at low, medium or high a common horizontal or inclined axis in the course of the coking or consolidation of the material with which the channels are charged, by the application of heat internally or externally of the channels or both internally and exter; nally, and the invention has among its objects to avoid the premature discharge of the residue on the rotation of the channels without employing special mechanical means for closing the channels for the purpose on their inver'sion in the course of their movement, and to simplify the manner of charging of the channels, whereby in a simple way the material to be treated is held within the channels notwithstanding'that the channels are inverted in the course of their movement from the charging to the discharging position.

According to the invention the coal or other material to be distilled, coked or treated is in a finely divided condition laid in deep and narrow open annular channels set in series one beside the other to rotate together upon a common axis and subject to the application of heat internally or externally or both internally and externally, the charging being effected at a position at the upper part of the course of the channels in their rotation. The charged material on being laid in the channels is compacted in a rolling operation to a lower level than that to which the channels are first charged. The charges are heat in the course of the movement of the charges from the charging to the discharging position. The retention of the charges in the channels is first ensured under the stresses imposed in compacting the charges in the manner described, in addition towhich the lateral walls of the channels or their faces are according to the invention provided with a series of holes, recesses or their equivalent, in which part of the charged material is accessible, whereby the maintenance of the charges within the channels is further ensured. By reason of the narrow cross: sectional dimensions of the channels heat penetrates the charges from the respective lateral walls of the channels so that within a very short interval of time the material of the charges near the lateral walls becomes plastic progressively under the heat acquired and progressive cokefaction follows immediately in direction towards tion of the charges is completed to the extent,

of partial or substantially complete degasification as may be required, in the course of the channels in upward movement into the discharglng position. The charges are removed from the channels by channel extracting or scraping tools so set in the channels as to cause fracture of the small pieces of coke formed at the positions at which it extends from channel to channel through the holes or into the recesses provided in the lateral walls of the channels, whereby the tageously set near the outer peripheral edges oi the lateral walls and they. may be conveniently of circular form; The lateral walls of the channels may he so formed that their inner faces thereupon consolidated under the application of $5 are of a slight taper inwards from the outer peripheral edge of the wall to the bottom of the channels, whereby the channels have a substantially wedge shape in radial or transverse crosssection.

The invention comprises the conditions of method and the constructional-features which are hereinafter described.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional plan of an apparatus constructed according to the invention.

Figure 2 is an elevation in vertical section corresponding to Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional end elevation on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, on an enlarged scale.

Figure 5 is a transverse cross-section on a larger scale than that of Figure 4 taken through the feed box supported upon the frame structure above the brickwork setting enclosing the rotatable casing on which the open annular channels are externally provided.

Figure 6 is a detail view on a large scale showing the manner in which the lateral walls are mounted upon the rotatable casing to form the open annular channels.

Figures '7 to 14 illustrate detail views of the channel extracting or scraping tools.

Figure '7' is a side elevation of a channel extracting or scraping tool.

Figure 8 is a vertical cross-section on the line 8-8 of Figure '7.

Figure 9 is a front elevation of the channel extracting or scraping tool illustrated in Figure 7, removed from the vertically movable plate on which it is carried.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional plan on the line 10-40 (Figure 7), the loosely mounted scrapers at each side being removed.

Figure 11 is a plan view of the channel extracting or scraping tool taken from the direction of the arrow l I (Figure '7).

Figure 12 and Figure 14 are a front and side elevation respectively of the vertically movable plate extended beneath the feed box and provided in unit lengths at a position beneath, and serving to carry the channel extracting or scraping tools at intervals in its length, and as means for accumulating a charge of thematerial to be treated in a position beneath the feed box.

Figure 13 is a plan view of the auge plate shown in Figures 5 and 12 which is supported by brackets from the vertically movable plate, and similarly provided in unit lengths to extend beneath and in front of the feed box.

In carrying the invention into effect as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, a rotatable cylindrical casing a is mounted within the brickwork setting b, and open annular channels 0 are provided externally of the casing a, within which the material to be coked or treated is charged. The casing a at its respective ends that extend beyond the setting b has mounted upon it bearing rings a supported on a pair of rolls whose axes are disposed parallel with the axis of the casing a, and at each side, one pair of which rolls are provided with flanges to form annular channels within which one of the bearing ringsa may roll, whereby axial flxity of position of the casing a is ensured.

The setting b is provided with a flrebrick and heating insulating lining and with a central chamber b through which the casing a extends.

The central chamber b is'deflned by end walls and by the lateral walls I), between which and the outer lateral walls of the setting lateral heating flues d are provided. Hot gases from a heating furnace e pass into a mixing chamber e and thence upwardly through fluese at each side of the setting b into the lateral'flues d, the hot gases passing rearwardly into a wider end flue d in an (and part b of the setting that is adapted for the reception of the end of the casing a. From the transverse end flue d dust-catching pits d extend downwardly whence accumulated dust may be periodically withdrawn through a closed outlet (1 The gases leave the transverse end of the flue d and return through the casing a passing first through the exposed end of the casing not enclosed by the setting b which is provided with an inner flrebrick lining a thence through the casing a and flowing out through the opposite exposed end ofthe casing not enclosed within the setting b, which is also provided with an inner flrebrick lining a The circulation of the heating gases through the lateral flues d and the casing 11 is maintained by means of a circulating fan f mounted in a separate part b of the setting in the lower part of which the heating furnace e is provided. By such means substantial uniformity in the application of heat to the charges in the channels 0 is ensured throughout the length of the casing a. Thus part of the heating gases-on leaving the front end of the casing a passes through the flue d in the part b of the setting, and downwardly through the return flue d to be admixed with the hot gases issuing directly from the heating furnace e into'the mixing chamber e for recirculation through the lateral flues d and the casing a in the manner described. Another part of the heating gas on leaving the front end of the casing (1 passes down the lateral flue cl and thence rearwardly through a horizontal flue d within which is mounted the recuperator g. Across the flue d extend chequered brickwork screens d and d the recuperator g being mounted in position between them. The waste gas passes from the flue d into the chimney (1. Air for admission to the heating furnace e is blown by the fan 9 through the air admission pipe g through the drums or collecting boxes and tubes of the recuperator g, and the air admission flue g into position beneath the grate of the heating furnace e.

The casing a may be very slowly rotated continuously or intermittently by gearing 72. mounted beneath the exposed rearward end of the casing a deriving movement from an electromotor.

Suitable packing is provided between the respective ends of the casing a and the main part 8g 1 m setting b and the parts of the setting Extending beneath that part of the casing a that-is enclosed within the central chamber b in the setting b, a helical conveyor 2' is set within a metal channel 2' of trough-shape formed of a semi-circular cross section at its lower part which corresponds in form and dimensions with the lower part of the conveyor. The conveyor 1' is advantageously provided of two parts respectively extending from the ends of the setting I) and through the end wall thereof to a central position beneath which a discharging hopper i is mounted, into which the coke or other treated material falls from the channels 0 throughout the length of the setting. The shaft or connected shafts upon which the respective parts of the conveyor i are mounted may in a central position acceptobe provided with a bearing i and at the respective. ends the shafts may be mounted on external bearings, and at one end the coupled conveyor shafts i may be driven by a mechanism separate from the main drive by which the cos ing'o is rotated.

A reinforcing frame structure of the setting which may be provided of verticalmembers ii at each side of the setting, connected together by transversely extending tie bolts and extending upwardly to serve for the support of sets of transversely disposed members i 7' of the struc 'ture by which the main supply hopper (not shown); the feed hopper i (Figure 2) mounted at one end of the setting, the casing i of the push-plate conveyor, the feed chute i and the ing mixture of coking coal and non-coking coal, the consolidated mass produced will have a crosssection having approximately the dimensions 2 inches x 1% inches x 1% inches (or iii; inches). The lateral walls or flanges k may be produced in the form of rings of a cross-section such as indicated in Figure 6 and applied in position around the casing a where annular recesses k feed box 7* may be supported. The feed chute 7' and the feed box 3* may beset slightly to one side of the vertical centre line of the casing o, and the feed hopper 5 the casing 7' of the conveyor, the feed chute d andthe feed box 1' extend the length of the setting b and above it,

the setting,

Itwill be understood that in the use of the continuously operating push-plate conveyor mounted in the casing i which is advantageously operated by a separate drive, the feed chute 7' and the'feed box i are maintained charged with an adequate supply of the material to be treated in a finely divided condition whereby it inay only be required periodically to set the push-plate conveyor in operation.

The casing a is enclosedwithin the setting I) to form a central chamber'b within which the charges in the channels c are freely exposed and from which gas and vapour may discharge into the distillation or coking, the gas the chamber in It or 1: whereby accommodation may be afforded for parts of the charges in the channels on the. charges being compacted or compressed in the and vapour passing out of the chamber through gas and vapour outlet pipes b? leading to the hydraulic main. By such means a retort is formed in position between the casing 41 and the setting b, and the heat is applied to the charges in the channels c internally by the heating gas passing through the casing a and externallyin the passage of the heating gas through the narrow heat-conducting walls b of the lateral flues d in the manner hereinbefore described.

The, narrow open annular channels 0 are formed advantageously by transversely-disposed circular flanges it set apart equidistant one from the other to form lateral walls upon the casing a which may be conveniently produced of boiler plate of inchto inch gauge. The dimensions oi. the lateral walls or flanges k and the channels 0 between them are advantageously such that the consolidated mass orcoke may be produced of a depth corresponding to that of the channels and of a slightly wedge shape as determined by a small extent of taper of the chan nels in direction towards the bottom thereof. Thus if the depth of the channels is 2 inches and the width apart ofthe walls 1%; inches, the extent of taper may be inch to inch. Thus the width of the lateral walls or flanges k may be inch at the top and 1% inch at the bottom. Where the material to be treated is a non-swellmay be formed at determined distances apart for their reception, whereby when the rings are cut in one position on an oblique or other line and applied in their respective determined posi-- tions to seat or fit within the ular recesses k the ends of the lateral walls or flanges k may be brought together and welded so as to form complete rings fitting or seat in the annular recesses k to produce annular channels c be tween the adjacent endless rings to serve as the lateral walls or flanges k. The latter may be held upon the casing by spot welding in a humber of positions if desired.

A series of circular holes it are formed through the lateral walls or flanges k and near the upper edges at a distance apart of 4% inches, the holes being advantageously so positioned that the upper part of the holes lies inch beneath the top edge. Or instead recesses k may be provided on the lateral. faces of the respective walls or flanges k.

The engagement of the charges within the channels may however be efifected by other means or by providing holes'through the lateral walls ofthe channels 0 or recesses on the lateral faces of these walls of other shape or-position such as the undercut recesses k that may be of a width equal to the diameter-of'the holes or recesses channels, so that positive engagement of the compacted and compressed material is made with the lateral walls by parts of the material of the charges of small cross-section, that contributes to the retention of the charges in'the channels in the downward movement of the channels from the charging position. During this movement cokefaction adjacent the lateral faces,of the walls or flanges k and in the holes or recesses such as k or 703 (Figure 6a) sets in and rapidly increases as the casing slowly rotates, so that in the latter part of the downward movement.

from the charging position the charges are so firmly held in the channels that their fall is precluded, while on reaching the charging position the charges are disconnected and the charges extracted from the channels by breaking the readily frangible small pieces of the coked or consolidated material formed within the holes or recesses without liability of general fracture as a consequence 7 It will be understood thatany form of recesses or holes on the lateral faces of the walls or flanges k that only presents a small area for fracture in the discharging position is effective that will yield only small projecting pieces of coke that are readily frangible in the discharging position without causing the general fracture of the mass of coke as a consequence of the fracture of the small pieces.

A similar series of undercut recesses k on the external peripheral surface of the casing in position between the lateral'walls or flanges k may be used to improve the retentivity of the charges but such undercut recesses are generally unnecessary.

The feed chute 7' and the feed box i may be so constructed that in the length of the feed box extending over the casing 11. vertical and transversely disposed plates or partitions 7' are provided at intervals as a reinforcement, similar transversely disposed partitions being provided at intervals in the feed chute 7 for the same purpose.

The lower end of the feed box 9' reaches short of the edges of the lateral walls or flanges of the casing a to yield a space between for deaeration or degasification of the charge, where owing to the proximity of the feed box :i to the lateral heating flues d and the casing a gas is liable to form in the column of the downwardly falling material and tends to hinder or prevent the free flow of the material into the channels. Accordingly the feed box 7' is interrupted at a position substantially above the peripheral edges of the lateral walls or flanges 7c and the rear wall :i of the feed box is turned inwardly at its lower end in order that the material leaving the feed box may be directed inwardly into the charging position. A vertically movable plate I extends beneath the feed box 9' and is provided in unit lengths that at their ends are adapted to overlap as a means of accumulation of the charge in position immediately beneath the lower end of the feed box while permitting of ventilation or degasiflcation of the material in the manner described from the space immediately beneath the feed box 9'. For this purpose the unit lengths of the plate I are connected by pairs of links Z for suspension from or between brackets Z to which they are pivotally connected, the brackets Z being provided at uniform intervals near the lower end and on the inner face of the rear wall a" of the feed box 7', the lower ends of the pairs of links I being similarly pivotally connected to or between brackets I mounted on the upper face of the vertically movable plate or units Z so that thus the upper ends of the plate or units I normally lie slightly beyond the lower end of the rear wall 1" of the feed box 9'. The plate or units I serve to carry the extracting or scraping tools m (Figures 7 to 11), in such manner that the extracting or scraping tools m serve as a support for the plate or units Z in the channels c, while the manner in which the plate or units 1 are mounted permits of the accommodation of the extracting or scraping tools to the inequalities of surface of the bottom and lateral walls of the channels in the rotation of the casing a in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow in Figure by the links I permitting the vertical movement of the plate or units 1 without varying the inclination of the plate or units 1. The plate or units 1 are adapted to carry the gauge plate n at a position in front and conveniently also at a position beyond the loweredge of thefront wall 7' of the feed box 7*. The extracting or scraping tools m are provided of the form illustrated in Figure 7 in which the inwardly extending part m of the extracting or scraping tool is provided with an inclined contact face m and the downwardly extending part m is provided with an inclined contact face m by which the tool and the plate or units 1 are supported in the channels 0 on the slow continuous or intermittent rotation of the casinga. The inwardly extending part m has a transverse section approximating to and slightly smaller than the channels c and at each side is provided with a cavity m adapted for the reception of loose bars 1 of a rhomboidal cross-section so that on the extracting or scraping tools being applied in position in the channels the lower edges of the bars m accommodate themselves in position, whereby their lower edges contact with the lateral faces of the cavities rising on the inclined faces of the cavities m to the extent required so that they may serve to clear the channels at the sides of any adherent material.

At their upper ends the extracting or scraping tools m are so provided that they may be secured by means of a screw m passing through the units of the plate I or through overlapping parts of adjacent units, thus forming supports for the plate or units 1 and for the material charged into the channels and preventing its rearward fall past the extracting or scraping tools m. The extracting or scraping tools m are set advantageously at an angle of about 45 to the vertical with respect to the axis of.rotation of the casing a, whereby the extent of movement of the channels from the charging position to the lowest inverted position is thus substantially more than 180 and in that position of the extracting or scraping tools there is no tendency for the uncompacted charge in the channels to fall backward. The plates or units I serve with the pairs of links l as a means of holding the extracting or scraping tools m within the channels against the resistance of the connected or consolidated charges in their removal from the channels and in the fracture of the readily frangible connections formed by the charges within the holes or recesses in the walls of the channels. I

The gauge plate n as illustrated in Figures 5, 1 and 13 is supported by brackets n extending at intervals in the length of the plate 1 and its units. The gauge plate 11. is similarly formed in units that may be co-extensive with the units of the plate I and at their respective ends overlapping and means may be provided by which the units of the gauge .plate n may be adjusted by raising or lowering them in order to vary the level a: to which the finely divided material to be treated is laid above the edges of the channels c as the casing a rotates in clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow in Figure 5. Such means may consist of vertically disposed slots n through which screw-threaded studs pass for connecting. the gauge plate units 1: to the brackets n A metal roller o'which may be of 4 inches in diameter may be laid in position in front of the gauge plate n in unit lengths such as18 inches, the roller units being disposed so that vtheir ends are adjacent and the units substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the casing a', whereby a moderate pressure is exercised upon the finely divided material immediately on its being charged into the channels under moderate pressure and by a rolling operation, whereby the material is compacted into the channels substantially to the level of the peripheral edges of the lateral'walls 0r flanges k. The

roller or roller units 0 are confined in their position by means of a stop plate p also provided in units in front of the feed box a", being carried by arms p at intervals, and angle brackets p secured to the front wall of the feed box :i. Thus in the slow rotation of the casing a the roller or roller units 0 move forward against I the stop plates 11 which serve to remove from their peri heries any adherent material.

It will be understood that in starting up the operation of the plant the casing a has first heat applied to a to the determined temperature.

Thus for example the wall of thecasing a may ae'eaesc i should be blended for the production ofanonswelling blend.

be aintained at a temperature of about 500 It is preferred in known manner to dry the charges'so as substantially to reduce the mois ture content and thus to shorten the interval in which cokefaction sets in near the faces of the lateral walls of the channels.

perature within the high, medium or low temperature'xranges; The casing a. is very slowly rotated either continuously or intermittently and under the conditions of temperature to which the wall of the casing a is maintained the charges are quickly heated by reason of the penetration.

of heat through the charges from the lateral walks as well as from the bottom ofthe channels as hereinbefore described. The distillation to the extent required may be carried out in one complete revolution in a period of 2 hours'for example or substantially less, the process of degasification being completed to the extent required before the coked material reaches the dis charging position. The distillation may however be completed to the extent required within an hour or even less at high, medium or low final temperatures of the charge and for the purpose of leaving in the residue any determined volatile content. The material subject to distillation is advantageously in a finely divided condition in which small particles and pieces are not uniform r 'in size. It has been found that a coking coal ora mixture of coking and non-coking coal or other non-swelling carbonaceous material such 'as high temperature or low temperature coke .in afinely divided condition intimately admixed with the coking coal results in the production of a coke that while being dense is porous and combustible and is adapted for use both as a domestic and industrial fuel.

In the use of blends of coking and non-coking coals or coke or semi-coke as the non-coking or non-swelling constituent, the proportions are preferably from 30 to 50% of the non-coking coal;

coke or semi-coke or other non-swelling macoal and non-swelling constituent of the blend may both be reduced to a uniformly fine condition and uniformly mixed together in the de termined proportion, but non-swelling blends may be produced in other proportions according to the character of the constituents. Thus for example a blend of Durham coking coal may be employed together with 75% of anthracite both in a finely divided condition, in which the particles of anthracite are not necessarily uniform in size, but the blend may be varied in any proportion to of anthracite to 75% of Durham coking coal. It will however be understood that blends of coking coal and a non-coking constituent or constituents may be provided in any proportion as may be determined by preliminary trial to be advantageous with regard to the particular materials used, it being understood that where a coking coal is used alone a strongly swelling coal should be avoided and if used it tion of a porous consolidated material according to the process of' the inventionin the use of a I The coke on being delivered from the dis charging hopper may be quenched and may be conveyed to or allowed to fall in a receptacle or compartment in which water or steam is admit- I ted for the purpose. v

According to a modification in which the cas ing a may be heated exclusively from within, the hot gases instead of first passing into the lateral fiues as in the modification hereinbefore described may pass into the casing a from .a central or concentric fine of smaller diameter than the casing a, which central inlet fiue may open into the casing near one end of the casing,

so that thus the hot gases may thence pass into the surrounding annular space in direction opposite to that at which they flowv through the central or concentric inlet flue to discharge at the same end of the casing as that at which the hot gases enter the central inlet flue. By such means substantial uniformity in the application of heat is ensured throughout the length of the casing a.

The gauge plate a may be adjusted in vertical position as may be required to determine the level of the charge supplied to the channels above the outer "peripheral edges of the walls or flanges of the channels as may be required 'according to the condition of the material charged into the channels.

Instead of mounting the rollers o in the manner hereinbefore described they may be provided in unit lengths and their ends may be guided in vertical slots within brackets set at determined distances apart, ,and they may be provided of a larger diameter than 4 inches as may be required according to the cross-sectional dimensions of the coked mass to be produced. Where plainrollers are provided it is of advantage that the peripheral edge of the walls or flanges k should be curvilinear in transverse cross-section, but the unit sections-of the rollers may be provided at intervals with peripheral recesses by which the rollers are adapted between the. channels to. compact or compress the charges in the channels below the peripheral edges. In such case the peripheral edge of the walls or flanges 10 may advantageously be fiat and of dimensions corresponding to the annular recesses in the rollers, the arrangement being such that the walls or flanges readily pass into the annular recesses in' the rollers.

Instead of using coking coal pitch in the condition of powder or as an emulsion or any other binder such as commonly employed in the manufacture of briquettes may be used for the produccombustible aggregate such as coke, semi-coke or anthracite reduced to a finely divided condition.

The invention is also applicable to the drying of clay and especially chin-a clay in a moist and plastic condition for the removal of a greater part of its water content and for the production of a solid material having a small water content. In such an application the conditions of operation of the apparatus may be substantially as hereinbefore described except that the period of treatment and the correlated temperature to which the casing is heated will be determined according to the condition of the raw plastic clay. The wall of the casing under such conditions may advantageously be maintained at a temperature of from 150 to 400 C.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for coking material in a finely divided state while subject to heat in passage through a circular course consisting of a horizontal or inclined rotatable drum on whose external periphery endless juxtaposed narrow open annular channels are formed with annular walls, a heating furnace setting within which the drum is mountedand enclosed for the application of heat to the material charged in said channels, a stationary feed shoot for said material, situated above and lengthwise of the drum and extending into the setting, means beneath the feed shoot for the accumulation of the descending heated material on being charged into the channels at the upper part of the drum comprising a rear. plate movably disposed in relation to the drum beneath the lower end of the feed shoot to the rear, the said plate being supported in the channels and forming with the channels an angular open ventilating space at the upper part of the drum, means for uniformly levelling the material on its being charged in said channels as the drum rotates, a roller for thereupon uniformly lowering the level and compacting and holding the material compacted in the channels as it descends during the commencement of solidification or cokefaction and means supported by the rear plate for extracting the consolidated or coked product at a stationary discharging position at the rear of the feed shoot.

2. Apparatus for coking material in a finely divided state while subject to heat in passage through a circular course consisting of a horizontal or inclined rotatable drum on whose external peripheryendless juxtaposed narrow open annular channels are formed with annular walls, a heating furnace setting within which said drum is mounted and enclosed, a stationary feed shoot for 'said material, extending through the furnace setting and situated above and lengthwise of said drum and to the rear of a vertcial line passing through the axial centre of the drum, means beneath the feed shoot for the accumulation of heated material on being charged in the channels at the upper part of the drum, comprising a rear plate adapted with means to prevent the downward movement of the accumulated material in direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said drum, means beneath said rear plate for the extraction of the consolidated or coked product as it gradually rises upward to the stationary discharging position at the rear of the feed shoot, means for levelling the material on accumulation in said channels, as said drum rotates comprising a front gauge plate supported by said rear plate, and a roller for thereupon uniformly lowering the level of said material and holding said material compacted in the channels as it descends from the charging position and as the consolidation and coking of the material commences.

3. Apparatus for coking material in a finely divided state while subject to heat in passage through a circular course consisting of a horizontal or inclined rotatable drum on whose external periphery endless juxtaposed narrow open annular channels are formed, the said channels having irregular inner faces formed by cavities, accessible to the material compacted in the channels, a heating furnace setting within which said drum is mounted and enclosed for the application of heat to said material on the gradual rotation of said drum, a stationary feed shoot for said material situated above and lengthwise of said drum, means for compacting said material in said channels and cavities and means for extraction of the solidified or coked product at a stationary discharging position at the rear of said feed shoot.

4. Apparatus for coking material in a finely divided state while subject to heat in passage through a circular course consisting of a horizontal or inclined rotatable drum on whose external periphery endless juxtaposed narrow open annular channels are formed, a heating furnace setting within which said drum is mounted and enclosed for the application of heat to said material in the channels, a stationary feed shoot situated above and lengthwise of said drum and adapted to feed said material to the upper part of said channels, means for compacting said material and holding it compacted as it descends at the commencement of solidification or cokefaction, before the charges in the channels are inverted in the gradual rotation of said drum, and means for extracting the consolidated product, at a discharging position at the rear of said feed shoot, comprising a rear plate supported upon extractors mounted in the channels, said rear plate being confined in its vertical movement by pivotally connected links.

5-. Apparatus for coking material in a finely divided state while subject to heat in passage through a circular course consisting of a horizontalorinclined rotatable drum on whose external periphery endlessjuxtaposed narrow open lation and deaeration of the preheated material in position beneath the lower end of the feed shoot and at the rear, comprising a rear plate, means by which the said plate is adapted to have freedom of play in a direction transverseto the surface of the drum, members with which said plate is equipped to extend downward and across said channels to form with said plate and channels at the upper part of the drum, an angular open ventilating space within which said material may accumulate, said members being adapted to serve for the extraction of the consolidated product at a position to the rear of the feed shoot, and means for levelling and compacting the material charged into the channels.

THOMAS MALCOLM DAVIDSON. 

